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Rhodesia Railways 16A class

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rhodesia Railways 16A class
Zambia Railways 16A class
National Railways of Zimbabwe 16A class
NRZ 16A class No. 612, at Thomson Junction, August 1992
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBeyer, Peacock and Company
Build date1952–1953
Total produced30
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-8-2+2-8-2
 • UIC1'D1'+1'D1'h4
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Driver dia.4 ft (1,219 mm)
Length82 ft 5 in (25.12 m)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity8.5 Tons
Water cap.5000 Gallons
Firebox:
 • Grate area212 sq ft (19.7 m2)
Boiler pressure200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox49 sq ft (4.6 m2)
 • Tubes and flues2,131 sq ft (198.0 m2)
 • Total surface212 sq ft (19.7 m2)
Superheater:
 • Heating area494 sq ft (45.9 m2)
CylindersFour
Cylinder size18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Train brakesVacuum
Career
OperatorsRhodesia Railways
Zambia Railways
National Railways of Zimbabwe
Class16A
Number in class30
NumbersRR: 620–649
NRZ:
Withdrawn1990

The Rhodesia Railways 16A class, later Zambia Railways and National Railways of Zimbabwe 16A classes.

Design

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The 16A class were, as might be excepted, a modernised version of the older 16th class. The design was thoroughly revised throughout and externally was notable for the "streamlined" tanks and bunkers, while the cab was widened to maximum possible below waistrail, with inwardly sloping panels above. Internally they had long travel, long lap, valve gear, roller bearings on pony truck axles, separate boxes on most, and higher boiler pressure. This latter gave them a tractive effort equal to the former 18th class, to which they were mechanically vastly superior.

Service

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Rebuilding

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In 1978 Rhodesia Railways began to rebuild its steam locomotive fleet. Between 1980 and 1983 the remaining Garratt locomotives were completely overhauled and had some modernisation, including the installation of roller bearings. The work was undertaken by private companies, especially the RESSCO works in Bulawayo.

First Number Beyer Peacock Builder Number Date Built ********* Date rebuilt Second Number Notes
620 7498 1952
621 7499 1952
622 7500 1952
623 7501 1952
624 7502 1952
625 7503 1953 07/1979 601
626 7504 1953 06/1980 602
627 7505 1953
628 7506 1953 04/1980 603
629 7507 1953 03/1980 604
630 7508 1953
631 7509 1953 03/1980 605
632 7510 1953 10/1979 606
633 7511 1953 02/1980 607
634 7512 1953
635 7513 1953 05/1980 608
636 7514 1953 06/1979 609
637 7515 1953 07/1980 610
638 7516 1953 07/1980 611
639 7517 1953
640 7518 1953
641 7519 1953
642 7520 1953
643 7521 1953 06/1979 612
644 7522 1953
645 7523 1953 11/1979 613
646 7524 1953
647 7525 1953 09/1980 614
648 7526 1953 10/1980 615 Sold to THF (awaiting scrap Voorbaai 2020)
649 7527 1953

References

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  • Durrant, A. E. Garratt Locomotives of the World.
  • Eatwell, David (August 2011). "Hunting Garratts in Zimbabwe". Continental Modeller. Beer, Seaton, Devon: Peco Publications. pp. 516–521.
  • Eatwell, David (September 2011). "Hunting Garratts in Zimbabwe". Continental Modeller. Beer, Seaton, Devon: Peco Publications. pp. 588–591.
  • Turk, Andrew (February 1976). "Garratts Galore". Railway World: 76–78.
  • Smith, J. D. H. "Rhodesia Railways steam locomotives". Standard Steam Locomotives. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  • "THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS"A.E. DURRANT and published edition APG, 1997 ISBN 1-77901-134-2>
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Media related to Rhodesia Railways 16A class at Wikimedia Commons

External videos
video icon Zimbabwe Steam: Bulawayo - Garratt City #1 - April 1997 A few scenes of Bulawayo in 1997 with Classes 14A, 15A and 16A Garratts at work on various duties around the city, along with shed and workshop scenes. (Time 12:16)
External videos
video icon Zimbabwe Steam: Bulawayo - Garratt City #2 - April 1997 Some morning scenes at Bulawayo Steam Shed in 1997 with 14A, 15A and 16A Garratts leaving the shed. Then we see 15A 417 "Umathebene" hauling a goods train out to Cement and shunting the yard there. (Time 5:38)